5 Batmobiles through the years

‘I gotta get me one of those,” Commissioner Gordon deadpanned in “Batman Begins” upon laying eyes on the caped crusader’s nifty wheels.
And who can blame him? For some 75 years, the Batmobile has captivated readers and viewers alike with its mix of futuristic design and American muscle. Who hasn’t dreamed of owning one, if nothing else to make sitting in crosstown traffic more enjoyable?
The Batmobile gets its due on the Blu-ray release of “The Dark Knight Rises,” out Tuesday. Among the bonus features is a new documentary on Batman’s wheels. Last spring, five of the cars from the 1966 TV series to the current films were assembled for the first time ever at a California drive-in restaurant. Here’s what you need to know about each.
By REED TUCKER
1966 “Batman” TV series
In his early years, Batman’s vehicle was hardly flashy. He drove a simple red sedan in the early comics and a Cadillac in the 1940s serials. Something more iconic was needed for the 1960s series.
Designer George Barris was given just 15 days and $15,000 to come up with a car suitable for the crimefighter. As the base, he used a Lincoln Futura concept car that Ford ultimately sold him for $1. The ride was originally painted dull gray with white trim, but when that didn’t look captivating enough, it was changed to the familiar gloss black with red striping. The “jet engine” sticking out of the back was actually a five-gallon paint can.
Actor Adam West did much of the driving, much to co-star Burt Ward’s chagrin. Ward was said to be terrified.

Everett Collection

1989’s “Batman”
Director Tim Burton was after a “tough” and imposing car to match the darker tone of the film. The design was, in part, based on salt-flat racers from the 1930s.
When the car was being built, designers realized they’d forgotten one important element: a door. It was quickly decided Batman would get in and out through a sliding canopy on top, like a jet fighter. Unfortunately, Batman’s ears kept getting caught in the closure, so a special cowl with shorter ones was created just for riding in the car.
The paint job was also problematic; it easily scratched. In one scene, Kim Basinger can be seen taking off her shoes before getting out of the Batmobile because the heels would have scratched the finish.

1995’s “Batman Forever”
Director Joel Schumacher initially asked “Alien” designer HR Giger to offer his take on the vehicle. He returned with a highly detailed, X-shaped car that was ultimately deemed too difficult to build.
Designers took inspiration for the finished product not from existing cars, but from jellyfish and deep-sea creatures.
The car is made of carbon fiber, like some jets, and its flame-throwing engine on the back came from a hot-air balloon. The first time the designers tested it, the blast set off sprinklers inside the machine shop.

Getty Images

1997’s “Batman & Robin”
Generally, filmmakers build multiple cars for different purposes and in case one gets damaged. This model proved so expensive, only one was built. (Much of its time onscreen is done with models and CG.)
The longer body was inspired by 1930s cars. No commercial tires would fit it, so designers used a custom set that had no tread. A customized Batman logo was cut into each, leaving a Bat-track wherever the car drove.

2005’s “Batman Begins”
Director Chris Nolan insisted on a more practical approach to the vehicle, something “based on science and real-world logic.” The result was a tank-like car that began life as a combo of Lamborghini and Humvee, with an airplane cockpit glued on top.
The Tumbler, as it’s called, was outfitted with 44-inch monster truck tires and a Chevy V-8 engine. It was capable of such great speeds that for its return in 2008’s “The Dark Knight,” the production’s Mercedes camera-car had to be supercharged to keep up.
Driving it was no picnic. Christian Bale describes the noise inside as “like having Ozzy Osbourne screaming in your ear.” The front window was also so small that lipstick cameras had to be affixed to the outside, feeding a picture to monitors inside for the stunt driver to see.